ABSTRACT
Objective To retrospectively analyze the mid-term clinical results of direct intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (DIPS) in treating patients with portal hypertension. Methods DIPS were created in 23 patients with portal hypertension. Both preoperative and postoperative portal systemic pressure gradient (PPG), liver function and clinical symptoms were recorded and compared. Shunt patency was checked by color Doppler ultrasonography and the data were statistically analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results DIPS creation was successfully accomplished in all 23 patients. No serious complications occurred after DIPS except for hemorrhagic ascites (n = 1) and mild hepatic encephalopathy (n = 3). Mean PPG significantly decreased from preoperative (32.6 ? 5.3) mmHg with a range of (23 - 43) mmHg to postoperative (10.1 ? 2.7) mmHg with a range of (5-14) mmHg (P